Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-01-06
COL. LUDLOW,S REPLY.
An Explanation Of the Proposed Mas.
sachusetrs Avenue Extension.

An Explanation Of the Proposed Mas.
sachusetrs Avenue Extension.
Commissioner Ludlow has prepared reply to a
letter from VIM. L. Wilson, chairman OF the sub
| committee OF the House appropriation committee,
having in charge the District appropriation bill
under date of Dec. 11th, requesting in view Of the
criticism in the press upon the proposed extension
OF Massachusetts avenue, statement giving the
reasons for the proposed extension and for the de-
Election OF the avenue from its present line, etc.
This reply Is embodied in printed pamphlet Of
nineteen pages accompanied with map, and
contains an extract from the last report Of the
District Commissioners giving the general rea-
sons for the extension OF Massachusetts, avenue,
which l. are in brief that the region lying to the
ton Of the District not directly accessible from
the city; that the extension OF Massachusetts ave.
priation OF 900 for sopening and extending
suburban streets" had been made at the last ses.
sion OF Congress. He then gives the reasons for
the proposed line OF extension, instead OF the direct
line, which are already Wen KNOWN and gives a
table showing that the cost OF the first viii be
$3.50 49o or $7125 per foot OF road, while the cost
OF the latter would be 81, Isl 1885, &167. 80 per
foot of road These amounts do not Include land
damages, but in the case OF the proposed exten-
@ OF the ne
e"s expense Won the District a'sn1s ~Slle s''n Il
heavy damages are inevitable and also that the
avenue would practically destroy the entire value
OF Oak Hill cemetery. The only argument in favor
OF the direct extension was presented to the COM
miss1Oners in July last in the form OF petition,
signed by the following owners and renters OF
property on Rockville and Tunlaw roads, On and
High streets, West Washington, on Rock creek and
adjacent regions: Josiah Dent, Edward L. Dent
Olive A. JudsOn and E. B. Judson, executors Of es-
Maulsby and E. /. Breese, Kaiorama '' estate: E
James Elverson, Clifton VIM. Ii. DOugal, Henry
=. Weaver, Catherine Weaver, Henry Weaver, H.
Iann nIuN 0nhr
Schneider, A. A. hunt, Lewis G. Kengla, Philip
Young, Robert D. weaver, Rebecca s. weaver.
Chas A. Buckley, J. c. O'Donnoghue. John Mar
William Homiller, Charles Homiller Joseph T.
Klengla and L. P. Hazel The petitioners repre-.
munication with the city; and the importance OF
proper extension OF the avenue, which Col. Lud.
low states the commissioners fully agree with,
o He Is q opno
would be advantageous to these properties
to have suitable road along that portion OF
the direct route west Of the Oak Hill cemetery,
but this does not involve interference with the
cemetery nor the costly vtaduct thence across the
ROCK creek a vaiiey, since excellent accommodation
ward away from the cemetery and effectiEg &
junction with the bridge on the proposed line.
accompanied by definite offers Of dedication OF
easements from the owners OF land through which
such street would lie would be favorably con-
S1dered by the commissioners"
The reply then goes on to say that the Commits
sioners are unable to agree that the extension in
straight line is the only legitimate one and are Of
the opinion that the considerations in its form are
rather sentimental than practical It is further
pointed out that the S1gnerS OF the petition
pledge themselves to no concessions OF land and
there Is every reason to believe that the cost en-
vOlved would be large With regard to the Ques-
ttOn OF the ownership Of the land through which
the extension OF the avenue to Rock Greek is now
being made, Col. Ludlow states that reference to
the appended map will show that all OF the lands
purposes OF improvement and sale was bought in
1883 and deeds recorded in March and April. 1854
before any government Official appointed during
the present administrator was In onice. Col
Ludlow further points out that as the proposed ex-
tension goes through the new National observa.
tory grounds owned by the government and the
consent OF Congress will have to be obtained be.
fore the extension can be carried out therefore the
dictated by any thing but regard to the public in
tereStS.
THE NEWSPAPER CRITICISMS
"Wlth regard to the newspaper publications. -
concludes Col Ludlow, 'from washington touch
ing this subject, and to which your letter refers
the Commissioners have nothing to SAY beyond
what has already been stated, and the additional
fact that the statements as published were made
without any inquiry whatsoever at the District
headquarters as to the actual circumstances OF
the case, and apparently without any disposition
to know what the facts really were None OF the
interest whatsoever, large or small direct or in
direct near or remote In this or any other matter
afectfng their administrative action. and the at
tempt TO impute to them such an interest is
least, malicious SANDER. -. Th6 Commits
siOners in this and all other administrative acts
will welcome the fullest inquiry from every Of1cial
and respectable source"